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HVAC /R (Heating Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration), where would we be without it?

Long distance transportation of all almost all foods would be almost impossible, commercial office buildings would not be able to be constructed in their present form as they would be unable to accommodate the millions of people who work in them daily. We would not even be able to get a cold drink from our favourite vending machine. Heating, Refrigeration and air-conditioning systems not only control the temperature and humidity of our air, but the total air quality in residential, commercial, industrial, and other buildings, coolers, refrigerated trucks, and freezers. Refrigeration systems also make it possible to store and transport food, medicine, and other perishable items. These systems are all around us. Think about what you did yesterday or what you might do today that involves refrigeration, heating or cooling and air-conditioning systems.

How would you like to find out what makes these systems tick, or perhaps all you need to find out is what the meaning of technical word or term, or maybe you have a very technical problem and you need an answer for.

We have created a new technical bench mark to assist in educating the home and business owners, students, building operators, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) technicians or anybody who needs and answer to their problems.

I would like you to take a minute to think about this.

What if you found a place where qualified mechanics gather and share their knowledge of this vast and exciting industry? What better place to learn more about the HVAC industry then on the information highway. You know, every user has something to offer each other.

This site is a place where building operators, home and business owners can chat with mechanics without being asked to sign an invoice. Some people may just want a little advice and may be able to offer us some in return. Others may just need to look up the meaning of a term or word.

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Thank you

Todd Legere

I would like to take some time now to explain about the technicians that work on all of these many systems.

Why you ask? Because these technicians are always there in the background working day and night, making sure all these many systems stay running properly. It’s funny that you never seem to notice them at all, but as soon as your meat freezer stops working or your hot at work because the system is not working, or your furnace stops working in the middle of winter that’s when you cry out “ I need service, now!”.

Technicians can work as installers or work at maintenance and repair or do both. Some specialize working on very large systems and some only work on smaller systems. There are some technicians that only work on refrigeration systems. What ever type of system a technician is working on they must be able to make repairs to any part of the system that need repairs.

In order to do this properly, they need to be able to adjust the system to precise settings that are specific to each system they work on. This is accomplished this by having the proper knowledge, tools and testing equipment, they also have to be good in math, and be good decision makers, as well as having a heap of common sense.

Something that you may not think necessary but, they should be good working with people. Technicians are also adept at using a variety of tools, including hammers, wrenches, metal snips, electric drills, pipe cutters and benders, measurement gauges, and acetylene torches, to work with refrigerant lines and air ducts. They use voltmeters, thermometers, pressure gauges, manometers, and other testing devices to check air flow, refrigerant pressure, electrical circuits, burners, and other components.

Mechanics install, service, and make repairs to air-conditioning, refrigeration and heating systems in both commercial and residential establishments. After putting the equipment in place, they install fuel and water supply lines, air ducts and vents, pumps, and other components. Furnace installers, use blueprints / drawings to install heating systems to exact specifications. Parts of these systems may include a few of the following elements, oil, gas, electric, and solid-fuel.

When servicing equipment, they must use care to conserve, recover, and recycle chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants used in air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. The release of CFCs and HCFCs contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer, which protects plant and animal life from ultraviolet radiation. Technicians conserve the refrigerant by making sure that there are no leaks in the system; they recover it by venting the refrigerant into proper cylinders; and they recycle it for reuse with special filter-dryers.

Maintenance

In order to keep equipment running properly and efficiently air-conditioning, heating, and refrigeration mechanics must continue to do routine maintenance such as changing belts and filters, greasing bearings and making adjustments to the equipment due to wear and tear. Usually this kind of maintenance is done during slower work periods but is also done when required throughout the year.

Education

Apprenticeship programs are frequently run by Collages, joint committees representing local chapters of the Air-Conditioning Contractors of America, the Mechanical Contractors Association of America, the National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors, and locals of the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association or the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada.

Formal apprenticeship programs normally last 3 to 5 years and combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Classes include subjects such as the use and care of tools, safety practices, blueprint reading, and the theory and design of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems. Applicants for these programs must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Courses in shop math, mechanical drawing, applied physics and chemistry, electronics, blueprint reading, and computer applications provide a good background for those interested in entering this occupation. Some knowledge of plumbing or electrical work is also helpful. A basic understanding of microelectronics is becoming more important because of the increasing use of this technology in solid-state equipment controls. Because technicians frequently deal directly with the public, they should be courteous and tactful, especially when dealing with an aggravated customer. They also should be in good physical condition because they sometimes have to lift and move heavy equipment.

All technicians who purchase or work with refrigerants must be certified in their proper handling. To become certified to purchase and handle refrigerants, technicians must pass a written examination specific to the type of work in which they specialize. The three possible areas of certification are: Type I—servicing small appliances, Type II—high organizations approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, such as trade schools, unions, contractor associations, or building groups. pressure refrigerants, and Type III—low pressure refrigerants. Exams are administered by organizations approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, such as trade schools, unions, contractor associations, or building groups. Fined out the Canadian associations that approve technicians and add them to this.

Employment of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2010. As the population and economy grow, so does the demand for new residential, commercial, and industrial climate-control systems. People and businesses depend on their climate control systems and must keep them in good working order, regardless of economic conditions.

Renewed concern for energy conservation should continue to prompt the development of new energy-saving heating and air-conditioning systems. An emphasis on better energy management should lead to the replacement of older systems and the installation of newer, more efficient systems in existing homes and buildings. Also, demand for maintenance and service work should increase as businesses and home owners strive to keep systems operating at peak efficiency. Regulations prohibiting the discharge of CFC and HCFC refrigerants took effect in 1993, and regulations banning CFC production became effective in 2000. Consequently, these regulations should continue to result in demand for technicians to replace many existing systems, or modify them to use new environmentally safe refrigerants. In addition, the continuing focus on improving indoor air quality should contribute to the growth of jobs for heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration technicians. Also the growth of business establishments that use refrigerated equipment, such as supermarkets and convenience stores will contribute to a growing need for technicians.

I hope this outlook will help you have a better understanding of what technicians do and, what the HVAC industry is about. Should you have any technical questions about your home / business systems or the material I have just written about, do not hesitate to ask.

Post all questions in our Forums, Technical questions under Residential or Commercial Service, other questions under Feedback.

Thank-you

Todd Legere

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